Al Harris staff decision revealed by Cowboys coach Mike Zimmer: “Excellent Work!”
By appointing defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the Dallas Cowboys reaffirmed the retention of defensive backs coach Al Harris for the next season.
Mike Zimmer, the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, was introduced on Wednesday. Dan Quinn, who is now the head coach of the Washington Commanders, will be replaced by him.
Dallas had performed admirably throughout the regular season, despite its heavy reliance on subpar quarterback performance. The team’s demise would come from a lack of toughness, discipline, and effective run defense after they had seemed to be an All-Decade defense through September. This resulted in a 48-32 defeat to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round, which served as a perfect example of these shortcomings and raised the prospect of change.
Parcells was quick to commend his old student Zimmer upon learning that the defensive coordinator had returned to the Cowboys.
“He’s a coach’s son, and I always liked that because they lived it at the dinner table when they were young,” Parcells stated to ESPN. “[Bill] Belichick operated similarly. These were the type of folks. However, Mike and I ended up becoming close friends.”
Any comparison to another proud member of Parcells’ coaching tree, Bill Belichick, is a positive one, and in Parcells’ opinion, Zimmer has earned it.
Parcells had a significant role in Zimmer’s development as a coach as well. Zimmer preferred a 4-3 style, which he used well with the Cowboys having the best total defense in the league in 2003. However, Parcells liked a 3-4 scheme, and he was able to persuade Zimmer to change once the Cowboys selected Hall of Fame linebacker DeMarcus Ware in the 2005 draft.
“Technique-wise it was relatively simple, so it was just the linebacker play and how to coordinate that, and that involved some new stuff for him,” Parcells explained. However, he quickly picked up on it and began to comprehend the type of employee we were seeking for in that. That was not difficult. He loves football. He enjoys playing the game. He’s determined to finish the task well. He is not at all indolent. That’s positive.
Later in his coaching tenure, Zimmer mostly used a 4-3 defensive, but he made sure to incorporate certain elements of Parcells’ 3-4 scheme as well.
But more than anything, Parcells values Zimmer’s directness with those around him, which players frequently find endearing.
“He’s just himself,” Parcells stated. That’s his behavior. Those that get along with players are like that. While it’s not a need to get along, players value those that are direct, concise, and really interested in improving themselves. With them, he’s the finest. Additionally, those who dislike the truth are likely to experience difficulties.”
